Saturday, January 3, 2015

For Lot's Sake

God chose Abraham. And when
God revealed himself as the one true God, Abraham chose God. A covenant was
made, and from that time on, God had a relationship with Abraham that was
significant.

The rest of the world seemed
to be about doing their own things, worshiping their own gods—the fake ones—the
ones that really placed the focus on people and their selfishness. But, it
didn’t change that the world was still the creation of the One, True God. And,
he was aware and took action within his world.

There came a time that God
decided to bring judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, but before he did, he told
Abraham of his intention. And Abraham’s reaction is where the story gets
interesting.

As Abraham walked with God
and learned of his intentions, his thoughts bent toward Lot, his own flesh and
blood. Lot had been foolish in many ways, thinking he could mix the ways of the
world and the ways of God. People of Sodom knew him, but they did not listen to
him.

So, as Abraham walked with
God, he inquired of the Lord if he would destroy the righteous with the unrighteous.
Realizing he was pressing God, very God, he still pleaded for the salvation of
his kinsman. Would God destroy it for the sake of 50 to 10, he asked. I notice
in what way he asked his petition—honoring, yet pushing, for so great was his
love for Lot. And, God promised he would not destroy it for the sake of 10
righteous people. Surely in the cities of the plains, there were 10 righteous
people, but there were not.

Yet, as the angels pushed
Lot and his family on their way, they told Lot they could not do what they’d
come to do until he was gone. God would stay his hand for even this one wayward
man. It appears he did it for the sake of Abraham.

What if I loved as great as
Abraham? What if I boldly asked for too much, for beyond reason, for the
undeserving? Are we not all
undeserving?